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[color=black][b][u]8:04 PM; December 24th, 2018
David Lieberman's House; New York City[/u][hr][h3]ISSUE #18
NOT FAR FROM THE END[/h3][/b][/color][hr][/center]
Dave takes a sip from his beer after I finish recounting the events at the tea house, contemplating his words. [color=darkkhaki][b]"... Well, that's sure to keep Russo away from crime,"[/b][/color] he says flatly, his voice giving away how unnerved he is by the story. He's been... Distant lately, as if disturbed by my growing violent tendencies. It almost makes me want to cut back. Almost.

[color=black][b]"And if it doesn't, I'll be sure to put one right between his eyes,"[/b][/color] I reply, leaning back into the couch and putting my hands behind my head. I couldn't care less about what I did to that bastard... But wasn't there a reason I had spared him when we first met? His... Daughter... My God. I can't imagine what she'd go through once she sees him like that. I blink once, twice, clearing my head of those thoughts. I can't think about that. It's too late now.

There's an awkward silence after that. Then, the satphone that Greg gave me rings. Dave answers it. He occasionally says [color=darkkhaki][b]"yeah"[/b][/color] or [color=darkkhaki][b]"uh huh"[/b][/color], and finally ends the call with a [color=darkkhaki][b]"Right, I'll tell him."[/b][/color] He hangs up, and turns to me with a grin. [color=darkkhaki][b]"A friend of your cowboy pal just called. Said that Vigilante and his buddies are ready to hit Solomano's building, but the guy's got his guard up already. He's expecting it."[/b][/color]

I give a quick grin. [color=black][b]"That'll just make it more fun. When are we going after him?"[/b][/color]

[color=darkkhaki][b]"Tomorrow night."[/b][/color]

[color=black][b]"I better go make sure my weapons are ready then... I'll see you after we raid the building, Dave."[/b][/color]

[color=darkkhaki][b]"Be careful, Frank."[/b][/color] With that, I stand, grabbing my coat and heading out the door. I look over my shoulder to see Dave nodding at me. I give him a thumbs up, before I walk out the door and into the cold night. My van's parked not far away. Solomano has a lot of Metas and Mutants on his payroll, not to mention any demons that are helping him out. I'll have Vig and his buddies on my side, but still, there's the chance that I'll die tomorrow night.

I climb into the front seat of my van so I can drive to my warehouse, but before I do that, I grab a picture from the dash. A photo taken not too long after the twins were born. Maria, Frank Jr., Lisa, and I. One happy family. If I do die, I can't comfort myself and say that I'll see them again. I know I'll burn in Hell for my sins when I bite the dust. But at least I know they're somewhere better.

I stick the picture back onto the dash and start the van, driving back to my warehouse. Tomorrow night, we wage war on Solomano in his own building. The only thing that I can think about is the striking similarities between our plan and Die Hard. I chuckle. [color=black][b]"Well yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker."[/b][/color]

I drive off into the night.